Irvine Chamber hosts successful Fall business outreach rally

Picture: (From Left to Right) Kim Sherman, director of membership of the Irvine Chamber, Massis Chahbazian, co-chair of the Irvine Chamber’s Business Attraction & Retention Committee, Irvine Mayor Dr. Steven Choi, and local company leaders from Broken Blinds meet during the Business Outreach Fall Rally

IRVINE, Calif.—Nov. 3, 2014—The Irvine Chamber of Commerce successfully concluded its Business Outreach Rally Fall 2014, a city-wide outreach and survey of more than 450 local businesses facilitated by the Chamber’s Economic Vitality Council’s (EVC) Business Attraction & Retention (BAR) Committee. Chamber members led “street teams,” taking a hands-on approach to meet and engage face-to-face with local companies, and gather insights into the key issues affecting their business. With the goal of further strengthening the local economic climate, the Rally provides an interactive opportunity to meet with company owners and executives, to understand their challenges and respond with resources for collaboration and support.

Irvine Mayor Dr. Steven Choi also participated in the Rally—the second one held within the year—and personally met with numerous business leaders.

“Thanks to the hard work of our Economic Vitality Council and support of the business community, the Fall Business Outreach Rally was a great success and continues the momentum ignited at our inaugural spring event,” said Tallia Hart, president and CEO of the Irvine Chamber. “Irvine is a leading business city and the insights gathered along with the connections made from the Rally will help us identify how to positively influence the overall economic vitality of the region.”

Members of the task force and EVC are currently studying the survey responses and use of the data to address and respond to pertinent needs by leveraging Chamber influence and resources, including marketing tools, networking and referrals, and legislative action.

The Business Outreach Rally is spearheaded by the Chamber’s Economic Vitality Council’s Business Attraction & Retention (BAR) Committee. Chamber member Brian Andersen of Fusion Networking, led the Business outreach Rally as Task Force Leader along with an enthusiastic group of Chamber business member volunteers who invested months in planning and preparation. Chamber members were tapped to participate in the street teams because of their deep understanding of local connections and resources available to extend to the community.

About the Irvine Chamber of Commerce

The Irvine Chamber of Commerce is one of the most influential Chambers in Orange County, representing more than 800 businesses in the area. The Irvine Chamber’s mission is to promote an economic climate that strengthens the competitiveness of local businesses while offering members a wide range of benefits, services, programs and information. The organization serves as a catalyst for local economic growth by: promoting the city as a dynamic business and tourism destination; providing valuable training and networking opportunities; and advocating for the interests of the business community with federal, state and local officials. The Irvine Chamber remains the largest business organization in Orange County and one of the most innovative in the nation, and has received a Four Star Accreditation with the United States Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit www.irvinechamber.com. For more information about the Economic Vitality Council visit http://www.irvineecondev.com.